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Dimapur, May 27 (EMN): As Covid-19 cases continue to surge in the country, there is a growing concern among parents and guardians of Covid-19 infecting children in the second wave.
To address this concern, Dr. Apong Longchar, a child specialist at Nikos Hospital and Research Centre, has spoken at length on Covid-related issues in children through a video.
The video has been made in Nagamese so that it can reach out to people who may not be able to understand all the information that’s available regarding Covid-19 in children, as those are mostly in English or other languages, said Longchar.
The doctor told Eastern Mirror that he made the video in the hope of benefitting the people, especially those in ‘far-flung areas’ and therefore, he deliberately spoke in Nagamese.
“Even the content addressed in the video is freely available on the web but I felt that as a Naga doctor sharing this, people will be able to relate more and take notice,” he said.
The child specialist, in the video, said that his patient’s parents and guardians call him up or visit him for Covid-related symptoms, and some of them test positive. A lot of parents ask over the phone how severe Covid-19 is in children, how to prevent children from the disease, and the symptoms in kids, he added.
“The Covid-19 cases are increasing among adults, and in the second wave we see even children infected with the disease. The second wave of coronavirus is deadlier with emergence of new different strains which infect the people faster, causing serious illness. People’s careless and casual attitude after the first wave through social gathering and not following Covid behaviour was one mistake that contributed to the current situation,” he pointed out.
However 60 to 70% of children who get Covid infection, he said, are asymptomatic and the recovery period is fast. But there are cases where some children may need treatment in ICU, especially those with co-morbidity. But compared to adults, the number of children getting sick is less, he added.
The main question, the child specialist addressed was how to prevent children from Covid-19 infection.
“So far there is no medicine or vaccine for children which have been approved yet, although studies and trials are underway. We are hoping that very soon there will be medicine and vaccines for children. But till then we should teach children on appropriate use of masks, social distancing and maintaining hygiene,” he said.
‘As per studies, most of the infection in children was through family members. It is upon the adults to be responsible and extra cautious at home, outside and avoid crowded places. It is not easy to make a child wear a mask. But for children above two years, we should make them wear the right size of mask with proper fitting while monitoring them. Children below two years of age should not wear masks due to safety reasons for them,’ he said.
The symptoms of Covid-19 in children are the same as the adult with fever, cough, and cold and body pain. Other symptoms like abdomen oain, loose stool and vomiting have been reported in the second wave.
‘If children show such symptoms and if there are adults at home who are positive, then it can be considered as Covid-19 suspect and follow the next step for testing. If a child has high fever for more than three days and if family members are Covid positive, then a child should be tested. The testing procedure for a child is also the same as for adults through RTPCR, TrueNat, Rapid Antigen Test (Rat). Children with pre-existing major diseases like kidney, liver, heart or immune compromised state like cancer and HIV, obese children are at high risk of serious Covid-19 infection, he said.
‘If there are mild symptoms of Covid-19 in children, consult your doctors or nurses first and follow their advice and accordingly if a child tests positive, the doctors will monitor if the child’s symptom is mild, moderate or severe,’ he advised.
For mild symptoms, home isolation with home treatment will be advised with monitoring of temperature every six hours, monitoring oxygen saturation by pulse oximeter every six hour.
The home treatment for children includes paracetamol for fever as per a child’s age, giving plenty of liquid, giving light soft diet and avoiding junk food.
‘We recommend Vitamin C, D, multivitamins and zinc to boost immunity and health. Other than the home treatment, proper sleep is one of the best immune boosters. It is also important to monitor and control excessive screen time as excessive screen time will affect their sleep cycle. Children should also be kept physically active for at least 15 to 20 minutes for two to three times a day,’ the doctor said.
The danger signs which indicate that a child’s condition is worsening are high fever for more than three days; not eating or drinking well; lethargic and inactive; difficulty in breathing, fast breathing and grunting; and oxygen saturation less than 95% by pulse oximeter. If any of these danger signs are noticed then immediately take the child to a hospital.
Another condition when the whole family is Covid positive and in home isolation, and if both lactating mother and child are positive, they both can stay together and continue breastfeeding while maintaining hygiene and wearing masks, he informed. If a child is positive and parents are negative, parents can take care of the child with strict Covid precautions, he added.